OUR COLLECTION — AFRICA — MALAWI 497. GUM WOOD SIX-PIECE NATIVITY

This Nativity is hand-carved from a hard wood called gum wood. The scene depicts the Holy Family under a hut and tall trees. The Family is joined by five African animals: an elephant, a lion, a zebra, a rhino, and a giraffe. The Holy Family piece measures 11. 5 inches tall by 6.5 inches wide.​The scene is carved by Van Nyasulu from Nkhata-Bay, Malawi. Van’s father is Symon Nyasulu, a renowned carver who started carving in the early 1970s. Symon started teaching his son to carve from the age of 6 until 14 when Symon passed away. After Symon’s death, Van developed a great desire to learn more about wood carving on his own, making this his full-time work ever since.